Togetherness - R.r. Doty Rollins

R.R. "Doty" Rollins says that when he was a boy in the early 1900s, there were two types of people in Poquoson - the "muddy toes" and the "hayseeders."

That's because there were only two types of work a family could do, either clamming and fishing, or farming. Born in the Messick County side of the town, he was raised in a family of fishermen.

A World War II veteran, Rollins was selected to be a town councilman in December 1953. He served until August 1961. Poquoson became a city in 1975.

Rollins says by the 50s there were sidewalks, good roads, churches and schools in Poquoson.

"I know some people who put time and effort in ... schools," says Rollins. His mother, who had been an active member of one of the first parent-teacher organizations in the area, had been one of those people, he says.

From 1954 to 1978, when he retired, Rollins was a general contractor. He has done construction most of his 82 years. In between golf, he does shop work out of his home, builds sun decks, conducts house renovations and makes "old time" pie safes. Rollins says the older citizens of Poquoson are some of his main customers. He has also shipped his pie safes to Florida and Georgia.

Rollins is a member of Improved Order of Redmen; a member of the Art Fellows, York Lodge No. 89; Masonic Lodge No. 49, a past state counselor of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics; past chancellor and charter member of the Knights of Pythons No. 161.

He and his wife, Fannie, belong to Tabernacle United Methodist Church in Poquoson. On Feb. 8 the couple will celebrate their 60th anniversary. They have five children, 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.